With social media bans, censorships, and sweeping online restrictions gaining ground globally — often framed as a cure for the collective anxiety of parents — it’s time to ask the harder questions: Are these bans actually doing any good? Do they address the root cause of the problem, or are they just quick-fix bandages on deeper wounds? We’re well aware of the internet’s pitfalls: doomscrolling, algorithmic echo chambers, and subtle indoctrination.
But what more often than not goes unnoticed is that these traps aren’t exclusive to the digital world anymore. They’ve quietly seeped into every sphere of our lives. In finance, for instance, young people are bombarded with “buy now, pay later” schemes. In health and wellness, they’re fed toxic productivity or body image standards. In education, they’re nudged into costly, unvetted online courses sold as instant success formulas. All of these feed on one thing: the craving for instant gratification. Teens and young adults, still figuring out who they are, become easy targets.
Simply banning platforms which expose young people to harm isn’t the solution — especially when these traps await them at every corner, both online and offline. It’s not about removing the danger; it’s about preparing them for it. That’s why we need to shift focus from bans to critical literacy. What we need isn’t just critical media literacy — it’s critical literacy in the broadest sense, not as an afterthought, but as a foundation.
All the views and opinions expressed are those of the author. Image Credit: The Viyug.
About the Author
Divyangana Gavand is a law student with a keen interest in exploring how legal and sociological frameworks interact in everyday life. She is particularly drawn to issues of systemic inequality, digital ethics, and institutional power. Her writing often reflects a desire to question, decode and engage critically with the world around her. As someone who believes that curiosity and analysis should evolve with time, she’s always learning — and unlearning — as she goes.
